ORGANISERS of the annual June 4 candlelight vigil have been putting on

a brave front since the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade

three weeks ago.

All this time, and longer, the Alliance in Support of the Patriotic

Democratic Movements of China had been assiduously building up to this

10th anniversary of the June 4 incident.

To them and their supporters here and abroad, this year's

commemoration was of particular significance. It was hoped that this

10th anniversary of the tragic event would help resuscitate the

evidently flagging dissident movement as a whole.

The intrusion of the embassy bombing, however, put paid to any chance

that the nation's attention could be attracted by any substantial

degree to the June 4 cause.

But if the rest of the country was so pre-empted, it certainly wasn't

the case with tens of thousands in Hong Kong. The large and passionate

attendance at the candlelight vigil in Victoria Park last night was as

inspiring for the indefatigable struggle of those trying to win

democracy for the country as it was a proper and suitable

commemoration for those who gave their lives in this noble cause.

Not even the disappointing absence of the star dissidents, now

residing abroad and expected to grace this particularly auspicious

commemoration, could detract one iota from the gathering's deep sense

of dedication and fervour.

This was the second June 4 vigil since the handover. Once again, it

went off in a way that all in the community had expected and hoped

for.

Mr Szeto Wah, the quintessential organiser, foundation and pillar of

this commemorative movement, remarked that these vigils would test the

central authorities' commitment to our freedom. He, his associates and

their mass of followers should be well pleased that this commitment

has been fully honoured so far.

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